Collapsible container

ABSTRACT

The present invention is generally directed to a collapsible container, which can be used as a household storage container, a temperature containment vessel (i.e., “ice chest”), or other type of container. The collapsible container is shiftable between a collapsed configuration and an assembled configuration. The container base comprises opposed grooves, each comprising a pivot, wherein one pivot is farther from the interior surface of the base than the opposed pivot. A pair of side panels preferably comprise at least one arm member having an elongated guide formed therein that is rotationally and slidably engaged with respective base pivots to allow the panels to shift between an upright position a horizontal position, in a stacked configuration. The lid preferably comprises at least one passage formed horizontally in the top panel to allow air to flow therethrough.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/875,191, filed Jul. 17, 2019, entitled COLLAPSIBLETEMPERATURE CONTAINMENT VESSEL, incorporated by reference in itsentirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to a collapsible container,and preferably a collapsible temperature containment vessel for keepingthe contents within the vessel warm or cool.

Description of the Prior Art

Industry standard size “outfitters” ice chests operate similar torecreational ice chests but are generally larger, heavier, and made ofstronger materials. These heavy-duty ice chests are typically bulkier inconstruction so as to withstand rougher handling and extreme weatherconditions. They must also be large enough to carry large game or fish.However, the ice chests often take up substantial and valuable space invehicles and boats, and specifically when in storage. Thus, there is aneed for ice chests that are sufficiently durable for outfitters, whilealso requiring minimal transport and storage space when not in use.

Additionally, household containers, for example plastic storage and foodcontainers, are generally manufactured with rigid construction andoccupy significant cabinet and shelf space when not in use. Thus, thereis a need for containers, and particularly household containers, thatare capable of providing a rigid water and/or air-tight vessel when inuse, while requiring minimal storage space when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to acollapsible container, shiftable between a collapsed configuration andan assembled configuration. The container comprises a base, a first sidepanel, a second side panel, a pair of removeable end panels, and aremoveable lid. The base comprises an interior upper surface and abarrier wall extending vertically upward from the perimeter of theinterior upper surface. The barrier wall comprises at least one firstvertical groove formed on a first inward facing surface of the barrierwall and at least one second vertical groove formed on an opposed secondinward facing surface of the barrier wall. The at least one firstvertical groove comprises a first pivot, and the at least one secondvertical groove comprises a second pivot. The first pivot is located ata position farther from the interior upper surface of the base than thesecond pivot. The first side panel comprises at least one first armmember having an elongated guide formed therein that is rotationally andslidably engaged with the first pivot to allow the first side panel toshift between an upright position when the container is in the assembledconfiguration and a horizontal position when the container is in thecollapsed configuration. The second side panel comprises at least onesecond arm member rotationally engaged with the second pivot to allowthe second side panel to shift between an upright position when thecontainer is in the assembled configuration and a horizontal positionbetween the interior upper surface of the base and the first side panelwhen the container is in the collapsed configuration. The pair ofremoveable end panels are adapted to be positioned upright and engagewith the base, the first side panel, and the second side panel to definea container cavity when the container is in the assembled configurationand to be positioned horizontally adjacent the first side panel or thesecond side panel when the container is in the collapsed configuration.The removeable lid is adapted to engage with the first side panel, thesecond side panel, and the pair of removeable end panels when thecontainer is in the assembled configuration and to engage with thebarrier wall of the base when the container is in the collapsedconfiguration.

In another embodiment, there is provided a temperature containmentvessel comprising a base, a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels,and a removeable lid adapted to engage with the pair of side panels andthe pair of end panels. The removeable lid comprises a top panel and alid barrier wall extending vertically downward from the perimeter of thetop panel. The lid further comprises at least one passage formedhorizontally in the top panel and adapted to allow air to flowtherethrough.

In yet another embodiment, there is provided a collapsible containershiftable between a collapsed configuration and an assembledconfiguration. The container comprises a base, a first side panel, asecond side panel, a pair of removeable end panels, and a removeablelid. The base comprises an interior upper surface and a barrier wallextending vertically upward from the perimeter of the interior uppersurface and defining a base cavity. The barrier wall comprises at leastone first vertical groove formed on a first inward facing surface of thebarrier wall and at least one second vertical groove formed on anopposed second inward facing surface of the barrier wall. The at leastone first vertical groove comprises a first pivot, and the at least onesecond vertical groove comprises a second pivot. The first pivot islocated at a position farther from the interior upper surface of thebase than the second pivot. The first side panel comprises at least onefirst arm member having an elongated guide formed therein that isrotationally and slidably engaged with the first pivot to allow thefirst side panel to shift between an upright position when the containeris in the assembled configuration and a horizontal position when thecontainer is in the collapsed configuration. The second side panelcomprises at least one second arm member having an elongated guideformed therein that is rotationally and slidably engaged with the secondpivot to allow the second side panel to shift between an uprightposition when the container is in the assembled configuration and ahorizontal position between the interior upper surface of the base andthe first side panel when the container is in the collapsedconfiguration. The first side panel and the second side panel are ofsubstantially identical construction and are adapted to reside withinthe base cavity when the container is in the collapsed configuration.The pair of removeable end panels has substantially identicalconstruction and are adapted to be positioned upright and engage withthe base, the first side panel, and the second side panel to define acontainer cavity when the container is in the assembled configurationand to be positioned horizontally adjacent the first side panel or thesecond side panel when the container is in the collapsed configuration.The removeable lid is adapted to engage with the first side panel, thesecond side panel, and the pair of removeable end panels when thecontainer is in the assembled configuration and to engage with thebarrier wall of the base when the container is in the collapsedconfiguration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible container in the assembledconfiguration in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from another angle of the collapsiblecontainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the collapsible container ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view from another angle of thecollapsible container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a collapsible container in the collapsedconfiguration in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a lid in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of the collapsible container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collapsible container of FIG. 5 withthe lid, end panels, and locking mechanisms removed from the base;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collapsible container during end panelinstallation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a base in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of a base showing one groove and pivotlocation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of a base showing another groove and pivotlocation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a base and side panels in the collapsedconfiguration in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section of the base and side panels of FIG. 13 duringassembly of the container from the collapsed configuration to theassembled configuration;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section of the base and side panels of FIG. 13 duringassembly of the container from the collapsed configuration to theassembled configuration;

FIG. 16 is a cross-section of the base and side panels of FIG. 13 in theassembled configuration;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a collapsible container during lockingblock installation in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a collapsible container in theassembled configuration with the lid removed in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a cutaway view of a collapsible container in the assembledconfiguration in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to acollapsible container shiftable between a collapsed configuration and anassembled configuration. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show container 10 in theassembled configuration, comprising base 80, removeable lid 20, endpanels 40, and side panels 60. End panels 40 and side panels 60 areinterlocked with each other and with base 80 and lid 20 to provide awater-proof, and preferably air-tight, sealed enclosure as described inmore detail herein. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an exploded view of thecomponents of container 10 in the assembled configuration. FIG. 5 showscontainer 10 in the collapsed configuration, generally comprising lid 20and base 80 with end panels 40 and side panels 60 contained therein andunseen. In the collapsed configuration, container 10 has decreasedstorage volume as compared to the upright assembled configuration.However, even in the collapsed configuration, container 10 must havesufficient volume to store end panels 40 and side panels 60 between lid20 and base 80. Details of lid 20, end panels 40, side panels 60, base80, and other components, as well as assembly of container 10 from thecollapsed configuration to the upright assembled configuration, aredescribed in greater detail below.

As best shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, lid 20 is adapted to engage withside panels 60 and end panels 40 when the container is in the assembledconfiguration (FIG. 1), and to engage with base 80 when the container isin the collapsed configuration (FIG. 5). Lid 20 generally comprises toppanel 24 having an exterior upper surface 25. Lid 20 further compriseslid barrier wall 27, which is formed by a pair of opposed sidewalls 26and a pair of opposed endwalls 28 extending vertically downward from theperimeter of top panel 24 to perimeter edge 21. Sidewalls 26 andendwalls 28 of barrier wall 27 define a lid cavity 22, the volume ofwhich is defined by the length and height of sidewalls 26 and endwalls28. In certain embodiments, sidewalls 26 and endwalls 28 comprise asingle, unitary structure so as to form a continuous perimeter extendingfrom top panel 24 of lid 20.

In certain embodiments, and particularly when container 10 is an icechest, lid 20 further comprises a built-in solar shield on top panel 24.The solar shield uses a heat transfer mechanism, or combination of heattransfer mechanisms, to minimize solar heat transfer into storage cavity36 of container 10. A first mechanism is to manufacture upper surface 25of top panel 24 to comprise a light color (preferably white), forexample by painting. Using a white or other light color on surface 25reflects the majority (preferably at least about 70%) of the solar heatradiation contacting surface 25. A second mechanism is the use of athermal air gap barrier comprising at least one passage 30 formedhorizontally in lid 20 and adapted to allow air to flow therethrough. Asshown in FIG. 6, the thermal air gap comprises as a pair of passages 30formed through sidewalls 26 of lid 20 and positioned between top panel24 and lid barrier wall 27, such that the passages 30 reside above lidcavity 22. Although the embodiment shown comprises a pair of passages30, it should be understood that lid 20 may comprise one passage, twopassages, or a plurality of passages, and the passages may passhorizontally in various directions through sidewalls 26 or endwalls 28.Regardless the embodiment, passages 30 should provide an air gap throughwhich natural or artificial airflow can pass through lid 20 beneathexterior upper surface 25 and above lid cavity 22. The airflow causesconvective heat transfer, which directs solar heat absorbed by top panel24 to be carried away from lid 20. This further reduces the amount ofsolar heat transferred through lid 20 into lid cavity 22 and ultimatelyinto storage cavity 36.

Lid 20 is removable from container 10, both when container 10 is in thecollapsed configuration and when container 10 is in the assembledconfiguration. Lid 20 is adapted to engage with, and preferably be incontact with, base 80 when container 10 is in the collapsedconfiguration. In certain embodiments, lower perimeter edge 21 of lid 20has substantially similar dimensions as upper perimeter edge 81 of base80, such that lower perimeter edge 21 and upper perimeter edge 81 are incontact when container 10 is in the collapsed configuration. Lowerperimeter edge 21 and/or upper perimeter edge 81 may further comprise aseal 90 (e.g., rubber or plastic gasket) so as to provide water-proofstorage of the end panels 40 and side panels 60, even when container 10is in the collapsed configuration. In certain embodiments, lid 20 andbase 80 comprise one or more fastening mechanisms 29 to secure lid 20 tobase 80 and to prevent lid 20 from becoming dislodged during movementand storage of container 10. Any of a variety of fastening mechanismsmay be used, such as toggle latches, hook latches, hasps, and the like.The type of fastening mechanism and the number of fasteners used can beselected as needed or desired based on the size of the container and itsspecific use.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the collapsed configuration, end panels 40 arearranged horizontally side-by-side and positioned in a stackedarrangement on top of side panels 60. In the embodiment shown, endpanels 40 are positioned adjacent first side panel 60 a. In otherembodiments, however, end panels 40 may be positioned between first sidepanel 60 a and second side panel 60 b or below second side panel 60 badjacent base 80. Side panels 60 reside within base cavity 82 of base80, arranged with first side panel 60 a stacked on top of second sidepanel 60 b. In the collapsed configuration, side panels 60 are arrangedin a horizontal position adjacent base 80 and substantially parallel tointerior upper surface 89 of base 80, with second side panel 60 bpositioned between first side panel 60 a and interior upper surface 89of base 80. The arrangement of side panels 60 a, 60 b are described ingreater detail below.

To begin assembly of container 10, lid 20 is removed and separated frombase 80. FIG. 8 shows container 10 in the collapsed configuration withlid 20 removed from base 80, thereby revealing end panels 40 and sidepanels 60 stored within container 10, with first side panel 60 a stackedon top of second side panel 60 b.

With lid 20 removed, end panels 40 can be installed on base 80 as shownin FIG. 9. End panels 40 are adapted to be positioned upright and engagewith perimeter edge 81 of base 80 when container 10 is in the assembledconfiguration. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, end panels 40 compriseone or more studs 42 projecting from bottom edge 44 of end panels 40.Studs 42 are adapted to fit into respective holes 83 formed in perimeteredge 81 of base 80 to hold panels 40 in place during and after assemblyof container 10. Other mechanisms may also be used in addition to or inplace of studs 42, so long as end panels 40 are secured generallyupright during and after assembly of container 10. In certainembodiments, end panels 40 may comprise a tongue positioned along bottomedge 44 and adapted to fit in groove 84 of base 80. Thetongue-and-groove fit further secures end panels 40 to base 80. A seal90 (e.g., rubber or plastic gasket) may be included on one or both ofthe tongue and groove to provide a waterproof seal, and preferablyair-tight seal, between the mated components. As described below, thesame or similar waterproof seal may be included between some or allmated panels and components of container 10 to render cavity 36substantially or completely water-impermeable, and preferably air-tight,when container 10 is in the assembled configuration. In certainpreferred embodiments, end panels 40 comprise a pair of twosubstantially identical panels (i.e., of substantially identical orentirely identical construction). This advantageously simplifiesassembly of container 10, since either panel can be installed on eitherend of base 80. Additionally, this reduces the number of separatecomponents required to be manufactured, thereby reducing costsassociated with manufacturing dies and replacing damaged panels.

Side panels 60 can be installed, either before or after end panels 40have been installed. Side panels 60 are generally secured to base 80when container 10 is both in the collapsed configuration and in theassembled configuration, such that side panels 60 and base 80 are incontinuous contact during assembly and collapsing of container 10.Advantageously, it is unnecessary to separate side panels from base 80during assembly of container 10, which simplifies installation andreduces the risk of losing or damaging parts. However, in certainembodiments, side panels 60 can be separated from base 80, for exampleto replace damaged panels 60 or base 80, or to allow for customizationor further processing of individual components. Side panels 60 generallycomprise at least one arm member 70 extending from bottom edge 62 ofside panels 60. In the embodiment shown, arm member 70 comprises anelongated guide 72 formed therein. Arm member 70 is adapted to engagewith base 80 to shift container 10 between the assembled configurationand the collapsed configuration without separating side panels 60 frombase 80. Similar to end panels 40, in certain preferred embodiments,side panels 60 comprise a pair of two substantially identical panels(i.e., of substantially identical or entirely identical construction).This advantageously simplifies assembly of container 10 and reduces thenumber of separate components required to be manufactured. As describedbelow, the design of base 80 enables the pair of side panels 60 to be ofsubstantially identical (or completely identical) construction yet stillbe organized into the stacked arrangement shown in FIG. 7 when container10 is in the collapsed configuration.

As best shown in FIG. 10, base 80 generally comprises interior uppersurface 89 and base barrier wall 87. Base barrier wall 87 is formed by apair of opposed sidewalls 86 and a pair of opposed endwalls 88 extendingvertically upward from the perimeter of the interior upper surface 89toward a perimeter edge 81. Sidewalls 86 and endwalls 88 of barrier wall87 define a base cavity 82, the volume of which is defined by the lengthand height of sidewalls 86 and endwalls 88. In preferred embodiments,base cavity 82 should be sized such that side panels 60 reside withinbase cavity 82 when container 10 is in the collapsed configuration. Incertain embodiments, sidewalls 86 and endwalls 88 comprise a single,unitary structure so as to form a continuous perimeter extending fromupper surface 89 of base 80. One or more drains 98 may be formed insidewalls 86 and/or endwalls 88 of barrier wall 87.

Barrier wall 87 comprises at least one vertical groove 92 formed oninward facing surface 85 of base barrier wall 87 and at least onevertical groove 92 formed on an opposed side of inward facing surface85. In the embodiment shown, at least one first vertical groove 92 a isformed on a first inward facing surface 85 a of sidewall 86 a, and atleast one second vertical groove 92 b is formed on a second inwardfacing surface 85 b of sidewall 86 b (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Eachvertical groove 92 comprises a pivot 94 adapted to engage with arespective arm member 70 of side panels 60. Pivot 94 may be any of anumber of projections, pins, shafts, and the like, either formed intovertical groove 92 or separately installed, so long as arm member 70 iscapable of rotating about the desired point of pivot 94.

First vertical groove 92 a comprises first pivot 94 a and secondvertical groove 92 b comprises second pivot 94 b. First pivot 94 a islocated at a position farther from interior upper surface 89 of base 80than second pivot 94 b. First arm member 70 a of first side panel 60 ahas an elongated guide 72 a formed therein that is both rotationally andslidably engaged with first pivot 94 a to allow first side panel 60 a toshift between an upright position when container 10 is in the assembledconfiguration and a horizontal position adjacent second side panel 60 bwhen container 10 is in the collapsed configuration. Second arm member70 b of second side panel 60 b is rotationally engaged with second pivot94 b to allow second side panel 60 b to shift between an uprightposition when container 10 is in the assembled configuration and ahorizontal position adjacent first side panel 60 b when container 10 isin the collapsed configuration. When side panels 60 are substantially orentirely identical, such as in the embodiment shown, second arm member70 b may have elongated guide 72 b formed therein that is rotationallyand slidably engaged with second pivot 94 b. However, in certainembodiments, second arm member 70 b does not need to be slidable aboutsecond pivot 94 b, and thus side panel 60 b may comprise a second armmember 70 b having any of a variety of other mechanisms other than anelongated guide, so long as second arm member 70 b is at least rotatableabout second pivot 94 b.

Assembly of the side panels is shown in FIGS. 13-16. The fully collapsedside panels 60 a and 60 b are shown in FIG. 13. During assembly, firstside panel 60 a is shifted from a horizontal position to an uprightposition (FIG. 14). This shift occurs by first rotating first side panel60 a about first pivot 94 a via first arm member 70 a and subsequentlysliding first pivot 94 a along elongated guide 72 a such that shoulder74 a of side panel 60 a abuts perimeter edge 81 of base 80 (see FIG.16). Once first side panel 60 a is in the upright position, second sidepanel 60 b is then shifted from a horizontal position to an uprightposition (FIG. 15). This shift occurs by rotating second side panel 60 babout second pivot 94 b via second arm member 70 b such that shoulder 74b of second side panel 60 b abuts perimeter edge 81 of base 80 oppositeof first side panel 60 a. As can be seen in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, no orminimal sliding of second arm member 70 b along elongated guide 72 b isrequired to shift second side panel 60 b from the horizontal to uprightposition. Similar to end panels 40, in certain embodiments, side panels60 comprise tongue 76 (shown as a component of seal 90) positioned alongshoulder 74 a and 74 b adapted to fit in groove 84 of base 80. Thetongue and groove fit further secures side panels 60 to base 80. In theassembled configuration, side panels 60 are substantially perpendicularto the interior upper surface 89 of base 80.

Side panels 60 may be secured to end panels 40 by a snap-fit mechanism,although other locking mechanisms may also be used. A seal (e.g., rubberor plastic gasket) (not shown) may be included on adjacent edges of oneor both of side panels 60 and end panels 40 to provide a waterproofseal, and preferably air-tight seal, between the mated components at thejunction 50 between side panels and end panels. A seal 90 may also beincluded on one or both of tongue 76 and groove 84 to provide awaterproof seal, and preferably air-tight seal, between side panels 60and base 80. The use of a seal renders cavity 36 substantially orcompletely water-impermeable, and preferably air-tight, when container10 is in the assembled configuration.

In certain embodiments, locking blocks 38 are installed to furthersecure side panels 60 and end panels 40, and to keep tension on themating joints between panels. In certain embodiments, locking blocks 38comprise alignment groove 39 adapted to slide onto alignment projections49 formed on side panels 60 and end panels 40. The alignment groove 39and alignment projections 49 may be angled or substantially linear. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the angled alignment groove 39 allowsfor tension to be increased as locking blocks 38 are slid onto angledalignment projections 49. However, in other embodiments, other angled orlinear locking mechanisms may be used. For example, in certainembodiments, the locking mechanism can comprise a T-slot connection(e.g., 80/20, Inc. aluminum). Locking blocks 38 may also compriseaccessories (e.g., bottle openers, etc.), which can be manufactured intolocking block 38 or attached at a later point, for example usingpost-manufacturing holes, grooves, etc.

To complete assembly, lid 20 is placed atop the assembled side panels 60and end panels 40, such that perimeter edge 21 engages with side panels60 and end panels 40 to provide an enclosed container 10. Similar tobase 80, side panels 60 and/or end panels 40 may comprise one or morefastening mechanisms 29 to secure lid 20 to side panels 60 and endpanels 40, and to prevent lid 20 from coming dislodged during movementand storage of container 10. Any of a variety of fastening mechanismsmay be used, such as toggle latches, hook latches, hasps, and the like.The type of fastening mechanism and the number of fasteners used can beselected as needed or desired based on the size of the container itsspecific use. The fastening mechanism may be the same or different thanwhat is used on base 80. A fully assembled container is shown in FIG. 18(lid off) and FIG. 19 (lid attached).

In certain embodiments, container 10 is a temperature containmentvessel, capable of keeping contents stored within cavity 36 either hotor cold. In certain embodiments, container 10 is an ice chest. Incertain such embodiments, one or more of lid 20, end panels 40, sidepanels 60, and/or base 80 are manufactured having a thickness of about0.5 inch to about 4 inches, preferably about 1 inches to about 3 inches,and more preferably about 1.5 inches to about 2 inches. In certainembodiments, one or more of lid 20, end panels 40, side panels 60,and/or base 80 are manufactured having a thickness of about 2 inches.

These thicknesses are sufficient to deter heat conduction and maintain adesired temperature within cavity 36.

In certain embodiments, the panels and components have advantageousdimensions compared to prior art containers. As described above, thelid, base, end panels, and side panels are separable, which allows forcustomizations (i.e., designs, initials, etc.) to be manufactured ontoor into one or more of the individual components. Such customizationsare difficult or impossible with prior art containers and ice chests.For example, laser engraving processes generally have a low acceptableheight between the base and laser engraver, where traditional containersand ice chests would be unable to fit. However, in certain preferredembodiments, one or more of the lid, base, end panels, and side panelshave an average thickness of less than about 2 inches, preferably lessthan about 1.5 inches, and more preferably less than about 1 inch. Thisallows for the separable components to be individually customized, forexample by laser engraving. The precise size and thickness of thevarious panels and components can be chosen for the particular containerapplication.

In certain embodiments, one or more exterior panels other than the lid(e.g., end panels 40 and side panels 60) may comprise one or morepassages to provide an additional airgap feature for thermal cooling,similar to passages 30 formed in lid 20. In certain such embodiments,thermal cooling panels may be built into existing panels or offset usingstandoffs of the original panels.

In certain embodiments, one or more of lid 20, end panels 40, sidepanels 60, and/or base 80 are made of a plastic material. In certainembodiments, one or more of lid 20, end panels 40, side panels 60,and/or base 80 comprise a plastic selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and combinations thereof. Incertain such embodiments, these components may comprise a rigid plasticformed on the outer surface with a foam plastic, such as foampolyurethane, which can act as an insulator within the rigid exteriorplastic. One or more of lid 20, end panels 40, side panels 60, and/orbase 80 are preferably manufactured using a rotational molding(rotomolding) process. However, in certain other embodiments, thecomponents may be manufactured using other techniques, including 3Dprinting, CNC (computer numerical control) machining, polymer casting,injection molding, vacuum forming, extrusion, blow molding, and thelike. The above listed components, as well as other components describedherein, may further comprise metals, metal alloys, and rubber or plasticgasketing materials, as necessary depending on the desired strength andweight of the container.

Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to methodsof assembling and/or collapsing the container using the steps andmechanisms described herein. Other embodiments are directed to methodsof cooling, heating, or maintaining the temperature of an article. Suchmethods generally comprise assembling the container from the collapsedconfiguration to the assembled configuration and placing an articlewithin the container. Exemplary articles include food items, beverages,fish, or game. Additional advantages of the various embodiments of theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review ofthe disclosure herein and the working examples below. It will beappreciated that the various embodiments described herein are notnecessarily mutually exclusive unless otherwise indicated herein. Forexample, a feature described or depicted in one embodiment may also beincluded in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus,the present invention encompasses a variety of combinations and/orintegrations of the specific embodiments described herein.

As used herein, the phrase “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itselfor any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing or excludingcomponents A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain or exclude Aalone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination;B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

The present description also uses numerical ranges to quantify certainparameters relating to various embodiments of the invention. It shouldbe understood that when numerical ranges are provided, such ranges areto be construed as providing literal support for claim limitations thatonly recite the lower value of the range as well as claim limitationsthat only recite the upper value of the range. For example, a disclosednumerical range of about 10 to about 100 provides literal support for aclaim reciting “greater than or equal to about 10” (with no upperbounds) and a claim reciting “less than or equal to about 100” (with nolower bounds).

1. A collapsible container shiftable between a collapsed configurationand an assembled configuration, the container comprising: a basecomprising an interior upper surface and a barrier wall extendingvertically upward from the perimeter of the interior upper surface, thebarrier wall comprising at least one first vertical groove formed on afirst inward facing surface of the barrier wall and at least one secondvertical groove formed on an opposed second inward facing surface of thebarrier wall, the at least one first vertical groove comprising a firstpivot and the at least one second vertical groove comprising a secondpivot, the first pivot being located at a position farther from theinterior upper surface of the base than the second pivot; a first sidepanel comprising at least one first arm member having an elongated guideformed therein that is rotationally and slidably engaged with the firstpivot to allow the first side panel to shift between an upright positionwhen the container is in the assembled configuration and a horizontalposition when the container is in the collapsed configuration; a secondside panel comprising at least one second arm member rotationallyengaged with the second pivot to allow the second side panel to shiftbetween an upright position when the container is in the assembledconfiguration and a horizontal position between the interior uppersurface of the base and the first side panel when the container is inthe collapsed configuration; a pair of removeable end panels adapted tobe positioned upright and engage with the base, the first side panel,and the second side panel to define a container cavity when thecontainer is in the assembled configuration and to be positionedhorizontally adjacent the first side panel or the second side panel whenthe container is in the collapsed configuration; and a removeable lidadapted to engage with the first side panel, the second side panel, andthe pair of removeable end panels when the container is in the assembledconfiguration and to engage with the barrier wall of the base when thecontainer is in the collapsed configuration.
 2. The container of claim1, wherein the interior upper surface and the barrier wall define a basecavity, the first side panel and the second side panel being adapted toreside within the base cavity when the container is in the collapsedconfiguration.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first side paneland the second side panel are substantially identical.
 4. The containerof claim 1, wherein the pair of removeable end panels comprise twosubstantially identical panels.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein thefirst side panel and the second side panel are adapted to remain incontinuous contact with the base during shifting of the containerbetween the collapsed configuration and the assembled configuration. 6.The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one second arm member hasan elongated guide formed therein that is slidably engaged with thesecond pivot.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the first side paneland the second side panel are substantially perpendicular to theinterior upper surface of the base when the container is in theassembled configuration.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the firstside panel and the second side panel are substantially parallel to theinterior upper surface of the based when the container is in thecollapsed configurations.
 9. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising a gasket material positioned between one or more mated edgesof the pair of removable end panels, the first side panel, the secondside panel, the base, and the removeable lid.
 10. The container of claim1, wherein the removeable lid comprises a top panel and a lid barrierwall extending vertically downward from the perimeter of the top panel.11. The container of claim 10, wherein the removeable lid comprises atleast one passage formed horizontally in the top panel and adapted toallow air to flow therethrough.
 12. The container of claim 11, whereinthe at least one passage is positioned between an exterior upper surfaceof the removeable lid and the lid barrier wall.
 13. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the removeable lid, the pair of removeable end walls,the first side panel, the second side panel, and the base comprise aplastic material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polypropylene, polystyrene,polyurethane, and combinations thereof.
 14. The container of claim 1,wherein one or more of the removeable lid, the pair of removeable endwalls, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the basecomprise an insulated plastic material.
 15. The container of claim 1,further comprising locking blocks adapted to maintain tension on matingjoints between the first side panel, the second side panel, and the pairof removeable end panels when the container is in the assembledconfiguration.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the first sidepanel, the second side panel, and the pair of removeable end panelscomprise alignment projections adapted to receive the one or morelocking blocks having alignment grooves.
 17. A temperature containmentvessel comprising a base, a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels,and a removeable lid adapted to engage with the pair of side panels andthe pair of end panels, wherein the removeable lid comprises: a toppanel and a lid barrier wall extending vertically downward from theperimeter of the top panel; and at least one passage formed horizontallyin the top panel and adapted to allow air to flow therethrough.
 18. Thetemperature containment vessel of claim 17, wherein the at least onepassage is positioned between an exterior upper surface of theremoveable lid and the lid barrier wall.
 19. A collapsible containershiftable between a collapsed configuration and an assembledconfiguration, the container comprising: a base comprising an interiorupper surface and a barrier wall extending vertically upward from theperimeter of the interior upper surface and defining a base cavity, thebarrier wall comprising at least one first vertical groove formed on afirst inward facing surface of the barrier wall and at least one secondvertical groove formed on an opposed second inward facing surface of thebarrier wall, the at least one first vertical groove comprising a firstpivot and the at least one second vertical groove comprising a secondpivot, the first pivot being located at a position farther from theinterior upper surface of the base than the second pivot; a first sidepanel comprising at least one first arm member having an elongated guideformed therein that is rotationally and slidably engaged with the firstpivot to allow the first side panel to shift between an upright positionwhen the container is in the assembled configuration and a horizontalposition when the container is in the collapsed configuration; a secondside panel comprising at least one second arm member having an elongatedguide formed therein that is rotationally and slidably engaged with thesecond pivot to allow the second side panel to shift between an uprightposition when the container is in the assembled configuration and ahorizontal position between the interior upper surface of the base andthe first side panel when the container is in the collapsedconfiguration, wherein the first side panel and the second side panelare of substantially identical construction and adapted to reside withinthe base cavity when the container is in the collapsed configuration; apair of removeable end panels having substantially identicalconstruction adapted to be positioned upright and engage with the base,the first side panel, and the second side panel to define a containercavity when the container is in the assembled configuration and to bepositioned horizontally adjacent the first side panel or the second sidepanel when the container is in the collapsed configuration; and aremoveable lid adapted to engage with the first side panel, the secondside panel, and the pair of removeable end panels when the container isin the assembled configuration and to engage with the barrier wall ofthe base when the container is in the collapsed configuration.
 20. Thecontainer of claim 19, wherein the removeable lid comprises a top paneland a lid barrier wall extending vertically downward from the perimeterof the top panel and at least one passage formed horizontally in the toppanel adapted to allow air to flow therethrough.